Sealed submersible structure



July 3, 1945, T. G. MYERS SEALED S UBMERSIBLE STRUCTURE Original Fiied No v. 22, 1957 ZSheets-Sheet 1 I/III!!! \NvENToR g. Myers ATTORNEY July 3, 1945. T. G. MYERS SEALED SUBMERSIBLE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 22, 1937 a mg mill/I m w N M R 0 7. V. A Na m Patented July 3, 1945 UNITED STATES; lATENTi' oF lcE,

. SEALED SUBMERSIBLE STRUCTURE I Thomas G. Myers, Los Angeles, Caliih, assignor. to U. S. Electrical Motors, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.,

a corporation of California j i Original application November 22, 1937, Serial No.

175,896, now Patent No. 2,309,707,1dated Febmary 2, 1943.' Divided and this application April 21, 1942, Serial No. 439,813

\ 11 claims.- (01. ass-9) This invention relates to submersible struc-.

tures, such as electrical motors that are adapted to operate in a well, for driving a pump therein.

This application is a division of an application filed in the name of Thomas G.- Myers on November 22, 1937, under Serial No. 175,896, and

entitled Sealed submersible structure," now Patent No; 2,309,707, issuedFebruary 2, 1943.

The problems met with in such, installations have been described in a priorapplication filed in the name of Thomas G. -Myers on November 8, 1937, under Serial Number 173,434, and entitled "Submersible structure," now Patent No. 2,318,181, issued May 4, 1943..

In general such submersible structures utilize a casing in which the motor parts are enclosed.

.. The well liquid is excluded at least from that part of the casing in which the motor windings and the rotary structures are located. As it is essential that the motor shaft extend 'out of the casing for connection to the pump, a seal must be provided around the shaft to exclude passage of. well liquid into the casing along the cylindrical shaft surface.

In the prior applications heretofore referred to, several forms of such seals are described, in

which there is utilized a, heavy liquid, such as mercury, to overlie relatively rotary sealing surfaces, and thereby to operate as a supplemental seal.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a sealing, structure in which the sealing liquid and the sealing surfaces are so arranged that the seal remains undisturbed even upon material misalinement or transverse motion of the shaft.

In this connection, it is another object of the invention to provide a simple and effective device for permitting at least limited freedom of flexure or motion of the 'shaft .without detriment to other parts of the mechanism; and that will maintain the seal intact even upon vibration of' the shaft, due to'any cause, such as wear.

These objects are attained in general by the provision of a cup disposed around the shaft and carrying the sealing liquid, into which extends a sleeve, also disposed around the shaft,

the cup and sleeve forming relatively rotatable elements; To prevent vibrating motion, or whipping 'of the shaft from being imparted I to the sealing -liquid, and impairing the sealing efiect between the sealing liquid and the sealing elements-,imeans are provided to prevent relative lateral movement or vibration of the cup and with respect to the sleeve, at the same time allowing freedom of lateral movement of the shaft., This is' accomplished in this invention by providing yielding or comfortable supports of fabric or the bellows, for the seallike, diaphragms, or metal ing elements.

This. invention possesses many tages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For

this purpose there are shown a'few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating 'the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is'not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a; view, mainly in section, of a submersible structure embodying the invention and immersed in a well; I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of seal that may be used in place of the seal shown in Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive are views similar to Fig. 2, but showing further modifications of the invention.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a well having the well casing l, and shown as having disposed within it the well liquid 2. This well liquid is usually water. v

A submersible structure, including the casing 3, is intended to be submerged in the well liquid. This submersible structure is shown in the present instance. as including a squirrel cage induction motor 4 having primary'windings 5, a rotor t, and a shaft 7. The shaft 1 is shown in this instance as projecting upwardly out of the casing 3 for direct connection to a pump (not shown) for pumping the well liquid 2 out of the well.

The shaft I is intended to'berotatably supported by appropriate bearing structures located within the casing 3. This casing is so arranged that well liquid is excluded from all rotary parts and from the windings of the motor. The manner in'which this is accomplished will be described hereinafter.

The support for the shaft 1 may include a thrust ball bearing structure 8 supported in an apertured wall 9 extending across the bottom of the casing 3. Adjacent the upper end of the casing the-ball bearing structure iii may be provided for the shaft; the bearing is supported as by a spider ll fastened 'to -th e flange 12, shown as formed integrally with the casing 3.

other advan- I g This part of the casing 3 which houses the motor 4 and the bearing structures 8 and I0, is intended to be filled with a neutral liquid or lubricant, such as oil, or with air. For example, an oil or air supply pipe line I3 may connect the interior of the casing 3 with a source of liquid or gas at the top of the well. Provisions may be added, if desired, to prevent reverse flow of the filling from the casing through the pipe l3.

Ordinarily it is preferable to maintain the fluid pressures within and outside of the casing 3 at substantially equal values, or to maintain the pressure within the casing 3 slightly higher than the external pressure of the well liquid 2. This pressure equalization may be provided by any appropriate pressure balancing means operating upon the'source of supply for the casing filling. However, in the present instance, as representative of means for securing this pressure balance, .use is made of 9. depending open portion H of the casing 3. Within this portion the well liquid is intended to rise, its upper level 5 being intended at all times to be substantially below the lowermost bearing structure 8. The surface of contact 15 with the casing filling serves to transmit well pressure to the interior of the casing 3.

It is obvious that the well liquid 2 must be excluded from entering the casing 3 around the shaft 1 where it emerges from the casing 3. For this purpose use is made of a sealing device which includes an elongated non-rotary sealing member or bushing l6. This bushing 16 is shown as directly contacting the cylindrical sur- "close, the tolerance between member l6 and shaft 7 being onehalf of one one-thousandth of an inch or less. Accordingly there is a material resistance to the flow of liquid through the very narrow passage formed between the closely fitting sleeve 16 and shaft 1.

' The sleeve I6 must be supported by the casing 3. In the present instance this supporting means includes a flexible corrugated diaphragm l1 which'extends across the top of the casing 3 and forms an upper fluid tight wall thereon. For this purpose this diaphragm I1 is provided with an annular rim laffastened as by bolts l9 to the upper edge of the casing body. The corrugations in the diaphragm I! make this diaphragm sufficiently yielding or flexible for a purpose to be later described. This diaphragm may be made of any appropriate material ca! pable of withstanding the mechanical stresses imposed thereon, although suitable metal of acceptable durability is preferred.

The flexible member I! serves an important purpose in conjunction with the close fit between the shaft 1 and the sleeve 16. As the shaft 1 is placed under load, it is very apt to be whipped which the lower end of member IB extends. This sealing liquid 20 may be mercury, carbon tetrachloride,.carbon disulphide, or the like, and may be accommodated in a rotary cup 2| carried by the shaft I. A filler pipe 22 isindicated as leading upwardly to a source of supply for the sealing liquid. In this way the sealing liquid can be replenished whenever desired, from the top of the well. a

The diaphragm I! also. serves to some extent as a pressure balancing medium from the inside to the outside of the casing 3. Its main function, however, is to permit misalignment of the shaft IT, as heretofore stated, without disturbing the. seal, and without transmitting harmful vibrations to other parts of the apparatus.

In order generally to exclude sand that may be suspended in the well liquid 2, from around the top of shaft 1, a supplemental guard flange 23 is indicated. This may be held as by bolts l9 over the diaphragm l1.

The liquid seal 20 overlyin the lower end of the non-rotary member it, serves as a supplemental seal. Well liquid, in order to enter the casing 3, must not only pass between shaft 1 and member 16, but must also pass through the sealing liquid 20. Since this sealing liquid has considerable surface tension, it cannot escape through the extremely narrow passage formed between the two contacting members I and I6.

It is not essential that the filling of the submersible casing be limited to a neutral liquid, such as oil, that is lighter than well liquid. The neutral liquid may be carbon tetrachloride, which is heavier than the well liquid and which is inert.

Such a form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2. In this form, the submersible casing is shown as having an upper flange or cover 46 provided with a clearance aperture 41 for the or vibrated out 1 of alignment with the true vertical axis of jthe casing 3. Were it not for the diaphragm I 1, this whipping would cause harmful vibration of the entire: mechanism, and a tendency to destroy the seal. The misalignment is permitted by the flexing of diaphragm II without any danger of the transmission of harmful vibrations to other parts of the mechanism, and without disturbing the proper axial alignment between shaft 1 and sleeve it.

Although in some instances the seal provided by the closely contacting member I6 is sufficient, yet it is preferred to supplement this seal byutilizing a heavy sealing' liquid- 23, into passage of the rotary shaft 48. The filling 49 for this casing 45 is intended to be carbon tetrachloride.

In addition, a somewhat different form of seal is illustrated. In this form there are two rela-- tively rotary members in telescopic relation. These members are respectively, the rotary member 50, shown in this instance as telescoping within the non-rotary member 5|. These two members are respectively supported by yielding supports. Thus for example, the rotary member 50 is shown as supported by the metal bellows 52, in turn supported on the shaft 48, as by the aid of the collar 53.- The non-rotary member 5| is likewise shown as supported by the metal bellows 54, joined to the top member 46. A compression spring 55 may, if desired, be utilized to urge the two members 50 and'il together in telescopic re-v lation.

These two members, furthermore, define with the shaft 48 an annular space around this shaft which may be filled with heavy sealing liquid 56, preferably carbon tetrachloride orcarbon disulphide. a This sealing liquid serves as a seal against the entry of well liquid into the hollow space 51 defined by the members 50 and 5| and past the some extent, the sealing effect of this body of liquid. In order to prevent emulsiflcation and to separate the carbon tetrachloride in case any aavaeca ,emulsiflcation should happen, a centrifugal Bel!- arator is provided. This is most conveniently formed by the aid of the generally radial ribs or fins 59, shown as formed integral with the bottom'of the rotary cup ill. These flns I9 serve to direct the heavy liquid 88 outwardly. There is thus a centrifugal separating action urging the liquid continually against the relatively rotary sealing surfaces. Material emulsiflcation is thus prevented, and the seal is also improved.

In the form-of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, the submersible casing 80 is shown as having an aperture ill at the top, through which the rotary shaft 62 extends. In OfdeYtO seal the entry of well liquid through this aperture BI, use

is made ofa rotary cup 83, carried by the shaft 62, and enclosing a heavy sealing liquid 64, which may be any of the liquids heretofore mentioned. Extending within this liquid 84 is a non-rotary member 65 which serves to separate the upper surface of the liquid 84 into'an outer portion 66 and an inner portion 61, respectively, in communication with the neutral liquid filling in cas ing 80 and with the well liquid.

For-this purpose, the member 65 is supported in, or in contact with, the mercury 12 may be treated appropriately to prevent chemical deterioration or reaction. 4 The manner in whichthe rotary mercury cup is guided to prevent the transmission of vibrations from the shaft to the mercury, may be varied.v Thus for instance,,in Fig. 5 the submersible casing 19 is shown as having a fluid tight top cover 80, having an inwardly directed boss 8|. The lower end of this boss 81 carries the non-rotary member 82 which divides the top surface of the mercury sealing liquid 83 as before. The shaft 84' has a clearance with the aperture in the central boss 8|, whereby the well liquid may be in contact with the inner annular portion of ,the mercury surface 83;

The mercury cup in this instance is shown as formed of a metal bellows 88 fastened to a flanse 85. The inner edge of this flange 88 is shown as connected to a supplemental metal bellows 88 fastened to the collar 8?, carried by the shaft ll. As in the previous forms of the invention, the yielding connection 86 in the form of the metal bellows, permit'svibration of the shaft 84, al-

in fluid tight manner by the casing 80. In this form of the invention, this support is provided by a collar 68, which is made of conformable or flexible metal or fabric appropriately treated to withstand the action of the liquids with which it is in contact. This collar is provided with a flange for fasteningit directly to the top wall it of casing 60.

brate, due to worn bearings or under load, this vibration would be imparted to the body of mercury or heavy liquid 64. This in turn would proby supporting member 65 upon the flexible mem-.

It is apparent that should the shaft 82 viliquid 9| into two parts, respectively in contact Q her 68, these vibrations are rendered harmless. I

In case mercury be utilized for the sealing liquid El, it is preferable to render'the surface in guide member 91, having a bearing 88 within a 1- contactwith this mercury, inert with respect to it. This may be accomplished 'by appropriate choice of the materials for the cup 63 and the member 65. used for the cup 63, or some other material similar thereto, which has no aflinity for mercury. Alternatively, an inert layer, suchas ceramic enamel may be applied over the contacting surfaces of these parts. Such a layer" is indicated as disposed on the member 65;

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig.

4, the casing BI is constructed-similarly to the casing shown in Fig. 3. In this instance the member II, which segregates the upper level of the sealing liquid l2 into two parts, is shown as rigidly attached within the central aperture formed in the cover 13. The rotary cup ll, in which the liquid seal 12 is accommodated, Is shown as guided-to maintain it directly axial with respect to the casing axis, as by aid of the stationary bearing member It. This bearing meniber centers the cup I4 at all times.

In order to permit deviation of the shaft it from truly axial position, without causing the cup I4 to be misaligned, the cup 14 is flexibly supported by the aid of the shaft 16. This maybe accomplished by the aid of the metal bellows 1.1, joined to-the collar 10, carried by the shaft It.

In this way, whipping or vibration of the shaft For example, Bakelite might be though the axis of the cup may be maintained fixed with respect to casing I9 In order .to guide the cup rotation in this manner. the cup is shown as having an upper cover 89, having a central aperture bearing upon the bearing sleeve 90, fastened to the boss 8i.

'Another form-of guide for the rotary cup is illustrated in Fig. 6. In this form of the invention, the submersible casing Si is provided with a cover 92 through which the shaft 98 passes.

The cover 92 supports the non-rotary member -94 for segregating the top surface of the sealing with the well liquid and the inert filling in the casing SI.

In this instance, the heavy sealing liquid is shown as accommodated in the rotary cup SI. This rotary cup @6 15 fastened to the top of a spider 99 fastened to the inside of the casing I. This guide member 97 is furthermore provided with a flange I90 connected so as to be driven by shaft 93, as by the aidof the flexible member III that is attached to the collar I02, carried by'the shaft 83. The flexible member IBI is fluid tight,

and is made from appropriately treated fabric or felt or. the like. In this instance it is preferred to flll casing 9| with an inert liquid that is somewhat heavier than the well liquid. This may be carbon tetrachloride or carbon disulphide.

In the form of the invention illustrated in F18.

a rotary shaft I32 extending upwardly theref 7, the submersible casing I3I is shown as havin tag ' The casing Iil may lie-provided with any of usual pressure balancing devices, and with a-fllling of oil or the like. The provision of a seal around the shaft I32 is accomplished'by the aid of non-rotary and rotary members having sealins surfaces in contact with each other.

Thus for example, the top I33 of the casing ISI may support an annular non-rotary sealing mem her I". The lower edge of this sealing member I34 is shown as in contact with the intermediate flange I35 of a rotary cup I38. -This'rotarycup is shown as having an inner flange I I! and an outer flange I38, forming a pairof separated an. nular chambers. The rotary cup I36 is yieldingly supported on shaft I32, as by the aid of the metal bellows I38, supported on collar Ill fastened to v shaft I32.

A bodyof sealing liquid I. extends in the ing liquid I42' is similarly disposed in the inner annular space and overlaps the area of contact. In order to prevent deterioration of the parts in contact with the mercury, appropriate protective measures may be taken as suggested heretofore, such for example, as the provision of enamel surfaces, or the use of materials or coatings which do not amaigamate, affect or combine with mercury.

In order to permit the shaft I32 to vibrate without harmfully affecting the seal or other parts of the apparatus, the bellows I 39 for supporting cup I36 is provided. The rotar cup I36, however, is guided to have a fixed axis with respect to the casing I3l, and thereby to prevent the mercury from being unduly vibrated. For this purpose ti e sealing sleeve I43 is provided, coacting with the outer cylindrical surface of the cup. This bearing sleeve I43 is supported in the boss I44 integral with the spider I45. Filling tubes I46 and I4! may be provided for replenishing the sealing liquids MI and I42 respectively.

01 course, the sealing surfaces should be such as to prevent a thin film of mercury or its amalgam to creep through these surfaces, or otherwise to deteriorate the materials.

In the forms of the invention such a shown in Figs. 2 and 7, utilizing metal bellows, spring means supplementing liquid pressure may be utilized to urge the sealing surfaces into contact with each other. Such a spring means is indicated at 55 in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2. Ordinarily, however, the areas of the sealing members exposed to the liquid pressure within the casing can be so chosen as to provide a sufiicient pressure to hold the parts in proper sealing relationship. In Fig. 8 a further modification is shown, in which the motor casing I48 supports a flexible diaphragm I 49,'closing its upper end. A sleeve or tubular member I 50 is attached to the diaphragm and extends downwardly along shaft I I into a rotating cup I52 secured to the shaft. In this case, however, a substantial space is provided between the sleeve and the shaft. A heavy sealing liquid I53 as in the other forms is disposed In the cup. Sleeve I50 extends into the sealing liquid,. and as the bore of this member is larger than the shaft. the surface of the sealing liquid is divided into two parts, the inner of which is in contact with the well liquid, the outer being in contact with the casing filling. To prevent relative lateral motion between the cup and the sleeve, with accompanying disturbance of the sealing liquid, as due to whip of the shaft, or wear of the shaft bearings, cooperating bearing surfaces I54 and I55 are provided on the sleeve and cup respectively. These serve to maintain the sleeve and cup coaxial at all times, since the sleeve, being supported on the flexible diaphragm, is free to move with the cup.

What is claimed is:

1. In a structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending out of the casing, a rotary cup carried by the shaft, sealing liquid in the cup, astationary member carried by the casing and surrounding the shaft, said member extending below the surface of the sealing well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending out of the casing, a rotary cup carried by the shaft, sealing liquid in the cup, a stationary member carried by the casing and surrounding the shaft, said member extending intothe sealing liquid and forming therewith a seal, and non-rotary means co-operating with the cup to maintain the member and the cup coaxial.

3. In a structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing and a shaft forming relatively rotatable elements, said shaft extending from the casing through an opening permitting substantially transverse movement of the shaft, a rotary cup member, means mounting said cup on said shaft; a heavy sealing liquid in the cup, a non-rotary member surrounding the shaft, and having a lower edge immersed in the sealing liquid so as to cause only a portion of the surface of the sealing liquid to be in contact with the well liquid, and means mounting said non-rotary member on the casing, one of said mounting means being yielding and supporting the mounted I member in spaced relation to the element on which the member is mounted to permit transverse displacement of the member with respect to said element. a

4. In a structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing and a shaft forming relatively rotatable eleme ts, said shaft extending from the casing through an opening permitting substantially transverse movement of the shaft, a rotary cup member, means mounting said cup on said shaft, a heavy sealing liquid in the cup,

. a non-rotary member surrounding the shaft, and

liquid and forming with the sealing liquid a seal a spaced fromthe shaft, and non-rotary means cooperating with the cup to prevent relative lateral movement between the cup and the member.

2. In a structure adapted to be submerged in having a lower, edge immersed in the sealing liquid so as to cause only a Portion of the surface of the sealing liquid to be in contact with the well liquid, means mounting said non-rotary member on the casing, one of said mounting means being yielding and supporting the mounted member in spaced relation to the element on which the member ismounted to permit transverse displacement of the member with respect to said element, and guide means for maintaining said members coaxial.

5. In a submersible structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending from the casing through an opening permitting substantial transverse movement of the shaft, a rotary cup carried by the shaft, a heavy sealing liquid in the cup, a non-rotary member surrounding the shaft and having a lower edge adapted to be immersed in the sealing liquid so as to cause only a portion of the surface of the sealing liquid to be in contact with the well liquid, and yielding means for'supporting the nonrotary member from the casing in spaced relation therewith, to permit said member to move in a direction transverse to the shaft.

6. In a structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending out of the casing, a rotary cup, sealing liquid in the cup, means co-operating with the liquid to form a eal around the shaft, and means to ensure that said cup will rotate about an axis fixed with respect to the casing, comprising a yielding member supported by-the shaft, and secured to the cup, means carried by the cup forming a cylindrical surface, and means forming a stationary uide for said surface. V

'7. In a submersible structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending from the casing, a rotary cup,.a yielding support for the cup and adapted to be supported on the shaft, a non-rotary guide means for the cup to maintain the cup rotation about an axis irrespective of deviations of the shaft from that axis, and a sealing liquid in the cup.

8. In a submersible structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending from the casing, a rotary cup, 8. yielding-sup? port-for the cup and adapted to be supported on the shaft, a non-rotary guide means for the cup to maintain the cup rotation about an axis irrespective of deviations of the shaft from that axis, a sealing liquid in the cup, and a non-rotary member surrounding the shaft and having a lower edge adapted to be immersed in the sealing liquid, and supported by the casing.

9. In a submersible structure adapted to be immersed in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extend- 'ing from the casing, a rotary cup structure can ried by the shaft, said'cup structure including a yielding member joining it to the shaft, as well as a cup proper also formed of yielding material, and an apertured cover for the cup; means supported by the casing and cooperating with the aperture in the cover for causing the cup structure to rotate on a fixed axis irrespective of deviations of the shaft therefrom, and a sealing liquid in the cup.

10. In a submersible structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending from the casing, a rotary cup carried by the shaft, a heavy sealing liquid in the cup, 8. nonrotary member surrounding the shaft and having a lower edge adapted to be immersed in the sealing liquid so as to cause only a portion of the level of the sealing liquid to be in contact with the well liquid, said rotary cup having a cylindrical area of contact with the non-rotary member, said cylindrical area of contact being coaxial with the shaft, and yielding means for supporting the nonrotary member from the casing.

11. In a submersible structure adapted to be submerged in well liquid, a casing, a shaft extending from the'casing through an opening permitting substantial transverse movement of the shaft, a non-rotating tubular member surrounding the shaft and forming an annular space open to well liquid, yielding means for supporting the tubular member from the casing in spaced relation therewith, said means permitting said member to move with respect to the casing in a direction transverse to the shaft, a rotary cup carried by the shaft, a heavy sealing liquid in the cup, the lower end of said tubular member being immersed in the sealing liquid whereby'a portion of the level of the sealing liquid is in contact with the well liquid, and means for maintaining said tubularmember coaxial with the shaft.

THOMAS G. MYERS. 

